What are clergy for? In this lively and provocative volume, Alan Billings argues that they serve the mission and ministry of the Church, which is to make God possible. In each new era, how to carry out this mission effectively will vary, as the Church seeks to respond to changes in society and culture, but it is likely to involve clergy in a refocusing of their ministry. Part 1 of Making God Possible looks at recent cultural shifts and the challenges they present to Christianity in the twenty-first century. Part 2 explores some of the models of ministry which have been found in the Church in the past and which continue to exercise an influence: classical (the parson); evangelical (the minister); catholic (the priest), and utility (the social activist and personal therapist). The author skilfully draws out those things of lasting importance and value in each model that might contribute towards the renewal of the ordained ministry today.

Alan Billings

Cover

About the Author

Title page

Copyright

Dedication

Acknowledgements

Introduction

Part1 Present realities

1. Understanding the context

2. How the Church thinks about itself

Part2 Models of ministry

3. Classical: the parson

4. Evangelical: the minister

5. Catholic: the priest

6. Utility: the social activist and personal therapist

Part3 Future possibilities

7. Making God possible in the twenty-first century

Notes

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Billings, Alan

What are clergy for? In this lively and provocative book, Alan Billings argues that they serve the mission and ministry of the Church, which is to make God possible (or findable).

The Good Book Stall

Rev’d Canon Dr Alan Billings is a highly informed and experienced writer, one of the doyennes of Radio 4’s ‘Thought for the Day’. Subtitled The task of ordained ministry present and future, this book sets out a clear, concise yet comprehensive account of how the Church in Britain and its ordained ministry come to be where they are in 2010. It describes cogently the styles of ministry characteristic of Evangelical and Catholic wings, showing how each positions itself in the current religious and secular climate. It summarises current social themes that have encroached on former clergy roles, and the challenge of the rise of secular humanism.   
Billings’ stance throughout is predominantly Anglican; it would for instance have been good to have had a mention of the Anglican Methodist Covenant and its working towards a common ministry. Looking to the future, He rightly pinpoints the need for what he calls a ‘teaching ministry: the intellectual contribution of the clergy’. He sees an important role for pastoral ministry as providing a haven in times of national distress. This is a book that may be read to advantage by both ordained and lay at a time when the growth of their shared ministry is seen as the only way forward for the Church, as it attempts to retain the possibility of God.

Making God Possible

The Task of Ordained Ministry Present and Future

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Making God Possible

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